초록 ▼

A gondola, or cabin structure, is attached to a lighter-than-air gas-containing structure by mounting apparatus enabling rotation of the longitudinal axis of the gas-containing structure through about 90.degree. with respect to the orientation of the gondola. Propulsion devices are mounted on the ga

A gondola, or cabin structure, is attached to a lighter-than-air gas-containing structure by mounting apparatus enabling rotation of the longitudinal axis of the gas-containing structure through about 90.degree. with respect to the orientation of the gondola. Propulsion devices are mounted on the gas-containing structure to provide propulsion force generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas-containing structure for generating forward thrust during flight and downward or upward thrust during, respectively, descent or ascent. Accordingly, the present invention embraces a method for effecting descent or ascent, which includes the steps of orienting the gas-containing structure in a generally vertical configuration and initiating downward or upward thrust. Advantageously, propulsion devices may be provided on rotatably mounted horizontal stabilizers and/or, when used, rotatably mounted wing structures, to provide horizontally oriented thrust when the gas-containing structure is vertical for stabilizing the gas-containing structure in high winds. Also advantageously, anchoring apparatus are provided only on the gondola for permitting the airship to be anchored substantially only by the gondola.

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